Hard to Handle by Raven Scott Page A

Dad, I spoke to three people from a few departments of the city comptroller. But they were just basic questions about processes and regulations. I did ask a couple of people straight out if they knew about companies that over-billed. But that’s it. I would never harass anyone or make threats. That’s just a lie!”
    â€œSweetheart, I know that,” George insisted, patiently tapping her knee. “I just wanted to understand what happened, that’s all.”
    She let out a deep breath, suddenly very exhausted.
    â€œWhy don’t you get some sleep?” he continued. “I know you’re disappointed about moving from city politics to the society page, but it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It’s also an opportunity to broaden your experience.”
    Kaylee nodded and tried to smile, but it looked more like a painful grimace.
    â€œThanks, Dad.”
    He leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
    â€œNow, if you’ll excuse me, I have a quick call to make before I’m off to bed also,” George stated. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
    While Kaylee finished her wine and made her way upstairs to her childhood bedroom for a dreamless sleep, she didn’t realize that her father was calling Fortis to start an investigation into corruption at the Baltimore Journal .

CHAPTER 6
    By Monday, Kaylee had a calmer attitude about the whole situation. Her dad’s words had given her a new perspective. While she didn’t regret pursuing the story on potential vendor abuse at city hall based on the information Rosalie had provided, three weeks was enough time to pursue that truth, and there was nothing to show for it. Following the facts had led to nothing, and now it was time to accept the consequences and move on. How bad could it be to write for the Arts and Culture pages? The Clement family was connected to many influential people in Virginia, D.C., and Maryland, so her new assignments might actually be fun.
    She also spent time searching her feelings about Evan and their engagement. There was something missing from the equation, something that should be a critical part of a relationship for two people who were about to get married. Was it passion, intimacy, the need to feel completely connected to your partner both emotionally and physically? None of those things had ever been huge in their relationship, but up until recently, Kaylee had considered that a positive thing. That was why they got along so well, and easily tolerated a long-distance relationship while Evan was working overseas. That was what allowed her to focus on her education and career, versus the many other women in her circle who could only think about china patterns and babies.
    But more recently, as the date of the wedding inched closer, comfortable and easy started to feel like ambivalence and detachment. While Kaylee knew that she loved Evan, she could no longer confirm that she was in love , and she instinctively knew that Evan wasn’t either.
    Once she came to terms with that fact, there was only one answer. When Evan returned from Europe at the end of the week, Kaylee was going to end their engagement. Their parents would be upset and disappointed, but ultimately they would also see that it was the right decision.
    Feeling lighter than she had in months, Kaylee went back to work with new determination. She spent the morning and the lunch hour doing research and reviewing previous articles written by other staff reporters. She had a meeting with Jason that afternoon when she was expected to pitch story ideas for her first few stories. The meeting went smoothly, though Jason seemed a little distracted and impatient. At first, she thought he might still be annoyed with her about the complaint from the comptroller’s office, but he barely responded to her story suggestions, except to nod occasionally while repeatedly checking his phone. Kaylee left his office thirty minutes later feeling